THE United Nations (UN) was negotiated into existence among the Allied Big Four (the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and China) at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference in 1944. It was established (on Oct 24, 1945) after World War II to promote international cooperation and to create and maintain international order.
Its objectives include maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, fostering social and economic development and protecting the environment. It is the largest, most internationally represented and most powerful intergovernmental organisation in the world.
However, its mission to preserve world peace was complicated in its early days by the Cold War.
While other organs of the UN can only make “recommendations” to member states, the Security Council (UNSC) has the power to make binding decisions.
The UNSC is charged with maintaining peace and security and the five permanent members hold veto power to block adoption of a resolution. The unconditional veto is undemocratic and is detrimental to balanced political decisions. It is said that it is the main cause for international inaction on war crimes and crimes against humanity.
For the record, the US refused to join the UN in 1945 unless it was given a veto. US has used its veto power more than any other permanent member since 1972, especially on resolutions condemning the actions or policies of Israel. I marvel at their determination to force democracy on other states and am amazed that they can easily use the veto when it concerns Israel.
On Dec 6, Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and announced plans to relocate the US Embassy there.
The decision will surely unsettle the prospects for peace in the region. On Dec 17, the US vetoed a draft resolution, calling on countries to avoid establishing embassies in Jerusalem. A few days later, the UN voted overwhelmingly to condemn the decision despite threats from US to pull funding from the world body.
Again, US is displaying the arrogance of a country that believes that it is better, smarter or more important than other nations.
By declaring that the UN vote will not make any difference and blackmailing other countries, US shows arrogance and how out of touch it is with the current geopolitical environment.
Let us be reminded that, in order to ensure prompt and effective action by the UN, its members confer on the UNSC primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the UNSC acts on their behalf.
Undoubtedly, US remains the top donor to UN relief programmes, contributing US$4.2 billion (RM17.12 billion) or 33 per cent of funds received.
While the US is the biggest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping, there are only 67 peacekeepers from US (China: 2,654) deployed in current peacekeeping operations.
In a 2010 report from the UN Foundation, it is said that the economic benefit to New York City by having the UN headquarters there is about US$3.3 billion annually.
In October, US and Israel announced that they were withdrawing their membership of Unesco, citing “continuing anti-Israel bias”. It cancelled its financial contributions in 2011 in protest against Palestine’s admission as a full member.
US allocated US$3.1 billion in military aid to Israel last year, but allocated only US$400 million in assistance to Palestinian security forces and economic support to the Palestinian Authority.
Given the fact that the US has a habit of bullying other nations, can the UN function effectively and achieve the desired objectives stated above?
There are a few options available. Member nations can either cancel US membership, critically review the veto power or disband the UN since there seems to be chaos in international order currently.
And work on a new world body.
The second UN secretary said, “The UN was created not to lead mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell.”
What is the condition of the people in Palestine all this while?
Saleh Mohammed
Kuala Lumpur